Month: February 2020

Blogger Picks: Street Style

Posted on by Monsoon

Transitioning your wardrobe from winter to spring is not always easy. To lend a helping hand we got together with some of the chicest bloggers we know for some outfit inspiration. Styling everything from cord coats to floral dresses, we can’t get enough.


Yatri

 

Coveted Coats

 

The weather hasn’t warmed up quite yet. To keep you cosy we have everything from cocooning puffer jackets to chic cord coats. Styled effortlessly by @y.a.t.r.i, these are at the top of our wardrobe wishlist.

 

Seeing a Pattern

 

At Monsoon, we are known for our prints, and we love it! Sophisticated florals and fierce animals adorn some of our favourite silhouettes this season.

 

Pia Grace

 

Get Shirty

 

Jeans with a nice top, it’s a go-to. Perfect for a workwear wardrobe, we can’t pick between bold pink and polka dot blue blouses, beautifully styled by @piavibekegrace.

 

Denim Daydream


Denim is a staple –  dresses, jackets, jeans, we have it all. Taking you from winter to spring effortlessly, these designs  are made with sustainable fabrics too.

 

Maria

 

Bring Me Florals

 

Florals for spring (summer, autumn and winter) please! We love how @thatgirlwiththebob has styled our head-to-toe floral looks.

 

Everyday Chic

 

From busy work schedules to dinner with friends, you can’t go wrong with these designs. Classic cream blouses and chic embroidered jumpers make on-trend ensembles easy.

 

Shop New In >

 

 

 

 

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Conscious Clothing: The Stylist Edit

Posted on by Monsoon

We teamed up with Stylist to create the eco-friendly edit you need this season. Over 50% of our SS20 collection is made with sustainable fabrics and we wanted to shout about it, from dresses made with recycled polyester to tops made with organic cotton, these are the fabrics and styles to get excited about. Featuring Stylist’s favourites from our sustainable fashion range, get ready to discover their top tips on how to style the must-have designs for the season ahead…

 

Everyday Blooms

 

“Florals aren’t just for spring. Mix pretty petals with dark denim for days when the weather is less than forgiving. Wear dresses with tights and long boots.”

 

Vintage Shapes

 

“A classic 70s-style maxi dress with gathered sleeves will make a welcome addition to any wardrobe. Think oversized accessories to complete the look.”

 

Modern Romance

 

“Pintucks, ruching and frills are putting us in a whimsical mood. Toughen soft details with the addition of chunky trainers.”

 

Shades of Pink

 

“Bright pink hues such as fuchsia, cherry and rich magenta are guaranteed to lift an outfit. Team this midi with a denim jacket from Monsoon’s eco-denim edit.”

 

Shop sustainable collection >

 

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The Half Term Edit

Posted on by Monsoon

 

Half term is here and organising plans to keep them busy are in full swing. We thought we’d make your week a little easier with a breakdown of the best outfit ensembles for wherever your agenda takes you!

 

Staycation Styles

 

Staying at home with a jam-packed calendar full of activities? We have daywear just for that. From playful prints to everyday denim, you’ll find just what they need to get them through the week and into spring. Psst, have we mentioned that 35% of our daywear is made with sustainable fabrics this season? It’s true.

Shop daywear >

 

Happy Holidays

 

If you’re spending the week abroad in the sunshine, we have tie-dye and unicorn designs they’ll love. 65% of our beachwear collection for children this season is made with sustainable fabrics, so they can stay stylish and sustainable while having fun in the sun.

Shop swimwear >

 

Special Events

 

Weddings, birthdays, or just events they want to dress up for, our kids’ partywear collection has everything you’ve been searching for. From beautiful dresses to suave suits, our designs will keep them smiling.

Shop girl partywear >

Shop boy partywear >

 

Mythical Must-Haves

 

Mythical creatures are on the top of the trend list when it comes to children’s fashion. From roaring dinosaurs to galloping unicorns, they’ll want to wear these pieces from our new in collection again and again.

Shop dinosaurs >

Shop unicorns >

 

Make It Mini

 

We have sweet styles for the younger ones too! From floral occasionwear to polka dot daywear, this collection couldn’t be any cuter.

Shop now >

 

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The VIP Edit

Posted on by Monsoon

 

Strike a pose wherever you go in our new VIP capsule collection. A range of full-length dresses in bold shades, every piece will have you ready to take on the night. Perfect for turning heads at extra-special occasions, these designs offer endless elegance.

 

Make an Entrance

 

Get ready to celebrate with Dani. A flattering one-shoulder design, it floats effortlessly as you make your entrance. A showstopping silhouette, you’ll want to wear this dress again and again.

 

Add Some Sparkle

 

The festive season might feel far behind us, but sequins are here to stay. Shiny and sustainable, this embellished gown is a standout piece in our occasionwear collection, made from recycled polyester.

 

Own the Night

 

Elongated sleeves are having a moment and we can’t get enough. A classic style with a stunning update, our Lucie & Maura dresses with Bardot necklines and cape-style sleeves will add a special touch to your evening look.

 

Shop VIP collection >

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Monsoon Monthly: February Edition

Posted on by Monsoon

Welcome to Monsoon Monthly, the February edition. This is where we share our favourite moments of the month, featuring everything from fashion to podcasts. February is a busy month, with Valentine’s Day and London Fashion Week in the calendar, but our list will help you tick off the best bits.

 

It’s the month of catwalks and street style inspiration, from the 14th-18th of February all eyes are on London Fashion Week and the new trends for the coming (and current) season. More accessible than ever before, you can catch live runways and follow your favourite bloggers for all the AW20 best bits.

 

 

The V&A always has an amazing exhibition to visit. One we fell in love with was Tim Walker: Wonderful Things, showcasing the extraordinary creative process of one of the world’s most inventive photographers. Closing on the 22nd March, make sure you get tickets before it’s too late…

 

 

Pancake Day falls in February this year (25th to be precise) and what better excuse do you need to eat pancakes for the whole month? There are so many great pancakes to pick from out there, just a few of our favourites have to be The Breakfast Club, By Chloe and Crepeaffaire – you’re welcome.

 

 

If you haven’t jumped on the podcast bandwagon yet, what are you waiting for? With endless options, it’s hard to pick just one. We’re putting a spotlight this month on How to Fail with Elizabeth Day. A podcast that celebrates all the things that haven’t gone right – she speaks to a different guest weekly about their failures and how they taught them to succeed better.

 

 

 

It’s the month of love, so of course we couldn’t leave Valentine’s Day off the list. Whether you have plans for an extra-special dinner or booked tickets for a trip away, click here to see our must-have date night edit.

 

Discover New In >

 

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The Monsoon Sustainable Pledge

Posted on by Monsoon

We’re committed to becoming more eco-conscious, this season over 50% of our clothing is sustainably made and our long-term pledge is for this to reach 90% by 2023. If you’re striving to be more sustainable too, this eco-conscious edit is the one for you.

Here we want to highlight what fabrics we are using and how they are kinder to the environment. From organic cotton to recycled polyester, we have everything you need to make 2020 a more sustainable year for your wardrobe.

 

Organic Cotton

Breathable, light and soft to the touch, our organic cotton is grown using methods and materials that are kinder to the environment. It avoids toxic pesticides and synthetic fertilisers which makes production safer for people and wildlife. Our goal is that by 2023 over 98% of our cotton will be either recycled, organic or sustainably sourced. A big part of this is the eco-denim collection which makes up over 50% of our entire denim range this season.  

 

Eco-Friendly Viscose

When it comes to viscose, we have more than one fabric to shout about. Our sustainable viscose is made using wood from sustainable forests. We work with sustainably managed forests, that are monitored to ensure biodiversity, and regrowth is managed responsibly. In addition to this, we also have the viscose alternative LENZING™ ECOVERO™ – derived from certified renewable wood sources and made using eco-responsible production methods, it generates up to 50% lower emissions and water impact than traditional viscose. Our sustainable viscose range has increased to 65% for the spring/summer collection.

 

Recycled Polyester

Let’s talk about recycling. Our recycled polyester is made from PET plastic bottles which are formed into strings of yarn, before being dyed and woven together to create a soft-touch texture. 50% of the polyester in our knitwear collection is made from recycled polyester, we also use recycled polyester in other collections including denim.

 

Spotlight On: The Beach Collection

 

One of the sustainable collections we are most proud of this season is beachwear – 90% of our beach range for SS20 is sustainably made. From swimsuits to cover-ups you can make your holiday wardrobe completely eco-friendly with our edit!

 

Little Sustainable Things

 

It’s not just the women’s collection we are focusing on. This season 65% of our swimwear and 35% of our daywear for kids is sustainable – so you can match their eco-conscious wardrobe with yours!

 

Shop sustainable collection >

Read our pledge >

 

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Travel Diaries: Penelope Goldstone in the Maldives

Posted on by Monsoon

We can’t get enough of the Maldives at Monsoon this season. From their beautiful beaches and idyllic clear waters to island hopping and snorkelling around the coral reefs, it makes the perfect holiday for both relaxation and adventures. We caught up with Penelope Goldstone, digital fashion editor for Marie Claire, to find out her top travel tips and suitcase essentials after her trip to the Maldives.

 

 

Can you tell us a little about your holiday destination and what attracted you to it?

 

We first went to the Maldives on our honeymoon and found it so magical we promised ourselves we’d go back for our fifth wedding anniversary. It didn’t quite last that long and we returned just three years later. I’ve been wanting to do a winter sun break for ages, and the Maldives, with their white sand beaches and clear blue waters, was just perfect.

 

How would you describe your holiday style?

 

It’s much more pared back than usual, if I’m going somewhere hot, a pretty floaty dress or silk slip is all I need. I avoid heels – or any kind of shoe if I’m on the beach – and wear minimal jewellery and no makeup.

 

What is your favourite piece from the new Monsoon beach collection and why?

 

The black swimsuit is the most flattering I’ve ever worn. It cinches beautifully at the waist, and the belt makes it trendy and timeless at the same time. One to add to the forever wardrobe.

 
 

 

What are your top three travel tips?

 

Shop around. I always use comparison websites to make sure I get the cheapest flights and accommodation I can, and I collect Avios points throughout the year using a credit card, which helps me get cheaper flights on BA.

Do your research. We went to Thailand and ended up falling into the tourist traps, so now I read up on all the destinations I go to and get some tips from friends.

Plan your wardrobe. I hate leaving stuff to the last minute, so I try and plan my holiday wardrobe a week ahead, giving me enough time to spot anything I might be missing.

 

 Our new beachwear collection is 90% sustainable this season – how much does sustainability impact how you shop? What would be your number one sustainable/zero waste product you’d say you need when travelling?

 

I am definitely trying to be more conscious and buy less but better, so instead of impulse buying, I’ll wait and think about an item, and if I still want it a few weeks later, I’ll buy it. I also try and buy more sustainable/recycled fabrics and practise circular fashion. I don’t have a zero wasted travel product per se, but when I’m staying in a hotel, I try not to be wasteful with toiletries and I don’t ask for towels and bedding to be washed every day.

 

Shop Holiday Collection >

 

 

Tempted to take a trip to the Maldives? We’ve got the competition for you…

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The Monsoon Accessorize Trust: Turquoise Mountain

Posted on by Monsoon

The Monsoon Accessorize Trust supports Turquoise Mountain to train over 150 artisans in the art and craft of jewellery making in Myanmar. Here they deliver highly skilled workshops that equip the artisans with the knowledge and skillset to learn a craft and secure a livelihood for the future.

 

 

The Project

Turquoise Mountain set up an apprentice programme in early 2017 to inspire a younger generation, provide opportunities and ensure the continuation of this art form in the future. It not only covers daily mentoring from the local master goldsmith, workshop staff and international team, but also provides training from international technical jewellery expert Jinks McGrath, who has been involved in Turquoise Mountain from the beginning.

This project began in August 2019, with a visit from Jinks McGrath in October. During her visit, an ‘open workshop’ was set up for goldsmiths from outside Turquoise Mountain. This helped deliver extra training to those outside the programme and to further promote the craft itself – it also led to some great conversations about changes in local design trends and different techniques in jewellery making.

 

Thiri Khaing Kyaw’s Story

Thiri applied to the Turquoise Mountain apprenticeship to follow her childhood dream of opening a small jewellery shop. She is a Yangon native and before joining the Turquoise Mountain apprenticeship programme, she helped her family run their restaurant. In her spare time, she joined classes on button making and fabric painting.

After learning basic skills from our resident master goldsmiths, Thiri had an opportunity to spend two weeks with Jinks McGrath and learn from her. They were able to practice techniques such as chain making, imprinting texture, hinge making and stone setting. When asked about her experience during the six-month programme, Thiri said “I came to the programme with no prior knowledge or experience in goldsmithing. Everything I learned here is valuable to me. Local master goldsmiths taught me a lot too. Each goldsmith has his own way of making products and it is fascinating to observe their different ideas and thinking processes. I gained a lot of new skills from Jinks as well. She shared her international experiences. Her teaching was a bit more systematic; she was specific about scales and that was very helpful for me. Overall, I really like the programme and I have learned a lot from it.”

 

 

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